Regional program touts cooperation for economic growth

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Office of Northwest Regional Programs (ONRP) is emphasizing cooperation as a way to energize economic development efforts in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

The office has brought together a network of research organizations into its Linking Regional Resources (LRR) program. Other members of that group include the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory and many leading universities and research institutes in the Pacific Northwest.

"The LRR program reinforces the idea that there is strength in numbers. Working together, we can advance the economic agenda of the region," says Erik Stenehjem, director of ONRP. "In addition, this collaboration helps ensure that promising PNNL-developed discoveries have new opportunities for commercialization."

A key to the LRR concept is Starlight, an information analysis software developed at PNNL. Using this software tool, PNNL pools patent information gathered from LRR's participating institutes and universities. In addition to assembling a database of individual technologies, Starlight sorts through the patents and identifies common themes, "bundling" together those technologies that appear complementary and may possess collective value. "For instance, PNNL might have a sensor that, by itself, may not have a viable path to market. But when joined with a technology developed by another institute, the result may be a very valuable new capability," Stenehjem explained.

Taking single or bundled technologies to the next step-- the marketplace--is not easy. "It is challenging to match technologies to the companies or individuals who can make commercialization happen," said Robin Conger, an ONRP project manager. "We believe the success of the LRR program will rely partly on our ability to build bridges to regional trade organizations representing the businesses, investors and entrepreneurs who know Northwest needs. These groups can help us facilitate technology transfer and commercialization," she added.

LRR organizers hope that successfully commercialized technologies not only will translate to new businesses and jobs in the Northwest, but also will produce goods and services, such as energy-efficient or environmentally friendly products that address a regional issue or enhance livability.

Although technology commercialization and economic development are primary aims of the LRR partnership, the program may produce other gainful outcomes. "Through LRR we can use the Starlight-generated data to develop a more comprehensive understanding of current research capabilities by state or by technology area. This will help prioritize future spending and investments as well as market our collective research capabilities," said Jill Farris, an ONRP project manager.